Paint just on walls behind bookcase. Styling tip: Take painting your bookcases as an opportunity to pare down your collection of books and objects — aim to keep at least one-third of each shelf empty. When you paint the back of a bookshelf, it is especially important to leave some free space so you can see the color behind the objects. Mix things up by alternating stacks of books with objects, or try leaning a few taller items behind the books to add depth.
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One last surprise: Leavitt chose a patterned fabric for the back of the sofa that picks up on the navy walls and can be enjoyed from the office. “Sofas are often pushed up against walls, so we don’t think about the backs,” he says. If you’re going to float your sofa, it’s a playful way to add pattern. He notes that the fabric on the back doesn’t have to be as durable as the rest of the fabric on the sofa, that this is easy to do on a custom sofa, and that it doesn’t usually add much, if anything, to the price.
Q